Ok Santa, Rudolf and the Gang...

We are ready for you!!!!

Uncle Lenny...

He just came out of the hospital with gaulbladder surgery and pancritus (Ok, I know that I didn't spell that right!). A few months back, Dave asked him "you're 72 years old...what haven't you done or traveled too?" Uncle Lenny said..."I have been everywhere! All around the world, traveled everywhere, done everything besides going to a NASCAR race..I have always wanted to do that." So, we decided to suprise him at Christmas with 2 tickets to the NASCAR race in May so him and Dave can go, and us girls will hit the outlets in Delaware. Well...being that he was just recently really sick, in ICU i think it took him back when he opened the box and there was the print out of the ticket for him and Dave. He didn't even know what to say, so he started crying! Then I started crying, then Dave, then my Mom, My Aunt and my Aunt Karen started balling! It was so emotional...the whole year, my Mom started if off with her seizures, then Aunt Pat is not well with her back and diabetes, then my Uncle, and they are Brother and Sisters, so it was a emotional day for all of us and a greatful day that we all have each other and are doing better and have a strong family bond. It was a very nice Christmas, being with family, making each other happy and being very blessed to be so close...

Christmas Day 2008

After Santa gave us all his gifts (BTW...I was very pleased with all my gifts!) a new touch screen phone, Mother/Daughter Coach Bags, Coach cosmetic case, diamond earrings/Pendant to match, G/C to AC Moore, The Avenue, Coach Perfume (Smells Yummy), Camcorder/Camera, My Purple Shark hardwood floors vaccum, and much more! We went to pick up Tor and Starla...I think it took them 5 min to open all their gifts!

Wow...it came and went in the blink of an eye! We got up, Dave just got home from work and we opened gifts. My Hubby wanted a 3ft black bear foot rest so that when he plays his video games he has a foot rest for the chair in our room...here are some pics of him opening that gift...

Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve was at Debbie's...we had linguini with shrimp and crab meat (YUMMY!) then some mini cheesecakes. Debbie always has her table decorated pretty...it was a nice time with friends and family...the only one missing to make it complete was my Hubby. He was out protecting the world :-(

More from the last post...

"Twas 3 days before Christmas...

and all throught the Matelski, Charyak & Sharpley house, all the baking is done, and all the gifts are wrapped, tree is decorated, table is ready for our 11 guests, Thomas Kincade Manger is in place, Blow Up's have frost on them, and now the last piece...shopping tomorrow night for some last minute foods...

My Hubby...

Runs into this all the time. It makes you think that has to be the scariest thing in the world, and he walks in, saves lives and walks out. I am greatful for that every time I see this picture that my Hubby comes home to me every night. When I first met Dave, he called his Brother "&^%$#@ nut for running into a burning building! But now, he loves every minute of it...and I am proud to call him my Husband...Love you Pooh!

Something to ponder for the next few months...

Yukon Denali
or the Chevy Tahoe...?

I am not sure what kind of truck I want...I guess I will have to test drive them, but we are thinking by August/September I should have a new one...here are two of the options above. What do you think? Im too spoiled by my truck now to go back into a car, and now after driving Dave's monster I want a bigger one!

Are we Polish or what?

Of course we are...and its the bi-annual Perogie making festival.

Let's see...A basic perogie dough is...3 eggs, 3 cups of flour, a tablespoon of salt, and a cup of water. Mix...and walla! PEROGIE DOUGH! Once filled, boil and fry them up!

Now, you can fill them with what ever you want...we stay traditional (Potato & Cheese), (Saurkraut, salt pork and farmer's cheese), (Shredded Beef), and my Mom's favorite...(Blueberry). I wish I could have taken a pic of Dave kneeding the dough, but I was covered with flour and my hand full of dough and spooning in the ingrediants. As it stands, we made 21 dozen of Potato & Cheese, and 7 dz. of the meat...Only 20 more dz. to go!!!!

Christmas Decorations....

Were all ruined in the flood two years ago. We thought we salavaged the blow up's for the lawn...but when we went to plug them in, it was a no go. So...after emptying alllllll the boxes and finding mold on everything, we had to throw everything out! Very upsetting. All the homemade Christmas balls that my Mom and Aunt made by hand that I loved, all the corney decorations I made as a kid that my Mom hung on the tree every year, all the decorations...ruined. So, here is what our garbage men have to look forward too picking up...and this is the 2nd round of garbage

Thanksgiving...A few days late!

Always remember to...

This was the snack table...

So, we went up to my Uncle Lenny's in Mt. Gretna (right by Hershey Park) and when we got there at 3 dinner was ready...and we were ready for it! That turkey was yummy! and my Uncle made Onion Soup (by the way...I hate onions and I ate it! they were all pureeed and with cream so that made it all better!)

Holidays....

Ok, its been a while since I posted anything, but we have been busy. So, I have the camera charged for Thanksgiving! We are heading up to Uncle Lenny's on Thursday morning and staying the night...then Friday is Debbie's Bday! So, we are all taking her out to dinner. Sat...not much. The family is going up to the pocono's and I will post all the pics from the week. So, I will be caught up! I want everyone who reads this post to have a safe and happy holiday! Here's some tips on how to cook a Turkey!

17 Ways To Cook A Turkey

1. Go buy a turkey
2. Take a drink of whisky
3. Put turkey in the oven
4. Take another 2 drinks of whisky
5. Set the degree at 375 ovens
6. Take 3 more whiskys of drink
7. Turk the bastey
8. Whisky another bottle of get
9. Ponder the meat thermometer
10. Glass yourself a pour of whisky
11. Bake the whisky for 4 hours
12. Take the oven out of the turkey
13. Floor the turkey up off of the pick
14. Turk the carvey
15. Get yourself another scottle of botch
16. Tet the sable and pour yourself a glass of turkey
17. Bless the dinner and pass out

My New Obsession!

OMG! These are my new Favorite thing to eat! They are called "Wheat Nuts" but they are not nuts...its an obsession that I can't shake! Only Shop Rite carries them that I know of right now...Try them!

The new Me!

I'm on a roll....well, not literally, but you know what I mean! I'm on a diet, But I don't like to call it that cause I haven't' really been not eating anything cause its bad, I like to call it "portion control". Thats the new diet of 08'. And believe me, it works! I have lost 21 pds since September 22! And I'm not doing anything extravagant. I eat my carb in the morning (cause you have all day to burn it off) and usually a salad, or even a wrap for lunch, and a nice dinner with a ton of veggies. I only eat the portion of it. Not 2 bowls of pasta like I used too, or 2nds on the chicken parm. 1 piece. thats it. And I can't believe the difference. I have failed at every single diet that there is...but this one it different cause im not looking at it as a diet, im looking at it as a changin the way i eat and it is working splendid. Try it...if ya need any advice just ask! I even feel better! Its like a whole new me...

Dana & Billy's Anniversary

Make a Smilebox postcard

Happy One Year Anniversary guys! Many more!!!! Click on each heart to see a different photo!

Exciting News!!!!

Its official! I am perm at the Township! Wooo Hooo! Finally! I have been working here as a "Vendor" so my pays have been pretty sweet since June, but now its on the books, which is even sweeter cause of all the paid holidays, days off, bene's, pension, etc. So, it all worked out, great opportunity for me and now I can retire in 25 years on the dot! Like my husband says, 55 and out! (Unless they have a early buy out then it would be sooner!) isn't government great?

It's Halloween time!!!!

He he...I manage to get this every year in a email...and still it cracks me up all the time!!!!

Sunday, October 5...

My Dad has been passed for 24 years now, and I still think of him everyday. I think of him and my mom together, and what it would have been like today. I remember little of their marriage cause I was little and you don't pay attention to those things when your 7. But I do remember my Dad on the weekends always cooking, always playing goofy, singing around while he cooked. I remember me and my mom in the car going downtown Jersey City to pick him up from work (He worked in the stock market so it was easier I guess for my mom to take him to work and not worry about parking). I remember one day (I'm dating myself here) but he used to put his shaving cream in a cup and making it all foamy and then I would take the brush and smear it all over his face before he shaved....or when I turned 7 I got up and ran in the kitchen and he was making me a big breakfast. He told me turning 7 was very magical, and told me to look at the table and my markers started moving, and I remember feeling so special that day (although now I know he used a string!) but still, its those few memories that I have that 24 years later help me get through it all. It still hurts, and I guess it always will. It hurt more recently when my Mom got sick. That was a reality check beyond reality checks...I lost my dad when I was so young, and now all I have is my Mom and she is sick...WOW! its scary, and I am learning how to deal with it. There are times where I feel like I got jiped, like how come i didn't get to have a Dad when all the rest of my friends did, and there are times where I get so angry cause I see people mistreat there Dad's and they truly don't even know how lucky they are to have them alive and being a part of their lives. I often wonder if he is looking down at me, is he proud? Is he happy for me? Did i respect my mom right, did I make it thought life so far ok? All those things go through my head all the time. But Like i said, I guess they always will. I have a letter that my dad wrote me while he was in the hospital right before he died. Its scratchy writing cause my mom told me he was really sick and he had the IV in his hand when he wrote it. When i look at that letter now, it hurts me still that my dad was in so much pain, so sick and basically he wrote me that little letter and then he passed. (OK, i thought I would have felt better to talk about it, but now i am crying!!!!)
I will take a pic and post it on here that way I can share my Dad with all who never got to know him...I will look for a clear pic to post cause our scanner doesn't work that well...

Last night...

My husband had his monthly cravings...I like to call it "His Man Period". I was sitting on the computer and he goes "I have to have Strawberry Short Cake". Now, anyone that knows my hubby knows he can't stand sweets, hates cakes, cookies, dough nuts, the whole nine yards. But once a month I find Reese's in the freezer for a few hours and all the cookies gone! So, we go over to Marazzo's and he finds the cake, and while in line, he grabs 2 Mr. Good Bar's and a bag of Reese's Peanut butter cups! So, he had his cake, and now he is satisfied. It usually lasts about a day or two! Does this happen to any body else's hubbies once a month? I swear men get their period too!

Dave and Tor...

Were playing in the backyard with those thingy's that fall off the trees...I can't remember what they are called, but if you throw them, they fly like a helicopter...weird...but they were having a blast!

All Day Long!

We tried to get both of us together in a pic, this is what we ended up with...Doesn't the one at the bottom look like I am ready to eat him? LOL!